When former CSNW Executive Director Sarah Baeckler left the organization early last year for her new position as Director of the North American Primate Sanctuary Alliance, she couldn’t bring herself to say goodbye to the chimpanzees. So even though she and her family relocated to Portland, she stayed on as a volunteer caregiver and drives up to the sanctuary regularly to help clean enclosures and hang out with her chimpanzee friends. As you can see from these photos taken this morning, they’re always happy to see her.
They look so happy to see her, I love it!
awww buddies 🙂
Both Burrito and Jamie are very happy to their good ole friend Sarah,,
I just want to ask what did the Chimps think about the fence?? I find these photos rather upsetting by seeing the animals emprisioned!! I´m sorry but this is not right!!
Hi Vera – Thanks for your question! The chimpanzees at the sanctuary have over 85,000 square feet of living space, including a two-acre open-air outdoor habitat, and they come and go as they please. These photos were taken in the greenhouse, which is one of their favorite areas because it’s sunny and warm yet protected from the elements. Because adult chimpanzees are so much stronger than we humans are, we must always be separated from them by fencing for everyone’s safety.
We absolutely agree with you that Annie, Burrito, Foxie, Jamie, Jody, Missy, and Negra deserve to be roaming free in the forests of Africa. We don’t believe that any chimpanzees should be in captivity; it’s impossible to meet all their needs in a captive environment. The sad truth, though, is that they have lived in captivity their entire lives, and because of that, they would likely not survive a reintroduction to the wild. So our goal is to make their home here as spacious, enriching, and loving as a captive home can possibly be.
Love ’em! Thanks!
Indeed… CSNW DOES, give the CE7 the best life possible that a Sanctuary has to offer,
The chimps have the freedom to CHOOSE where they wish to spend their days, indoors, or outdoors, They have Young’s Hill, YH, has totally changed all their lives, Their level of confidence has totally changed, no longer afraid to explore and roam free in their 2 acres ,, They also have some of the most interesting enrichment activities the staff create ,, Life for the chimps is quite palatial, fun, interesting and ever so, supportive, The caregivers and volunteers are al very committed , devoted people who LOVE to care and provide the best for Negra,Jody.Burrito,Missy,Annie,Foxie and Jamie, These chimps KNOW they are loved and they MATTER . For the first time in their lives they FEEL CARED FOR ,, I truly believe they DO feel important and LOVED.